Made from a biodegradable polymer, Polyglycolic acid sutures are commonly used in medical procedures. Polyglycolic acid surgical sutures find use in the closure of any wound, approximation of tissue, and other sutures. Their widespread adaptation is owing to their strength and biodegradability. Below are a few benefits of polyglycolic acid surgical sutures.
Strength
The polyglycolic acid sutures comprise a (biodegradable) polymer that breaks down gradually and is well absorbed by the body. The strength of PGA sutures is much superior to those of other synthetic, absorbable sutures. This strength increases the overall efficiency of the PGA sutures in healing wounds.
Biodegradable
Since PGA sutures are biodegradable in nature, they are absorbed by the body over a period of time. This negates any requirement for the removal of sutures from the body and also saves one from any potential infection.
Predictable Degradation
PGA sutures degrade through the process of hydrolysis. In the process, the polymer is broken down by water molecules. Their rate of degradation is quite predictable, taking around 60 to 90 days, depending upon the size and the location at which it is placed. This predictability provides PGA sutures with an edge over the others.
Multipurpose
PGA sutures are dynamic in the sense that they can be used in distinctive surgical procedures, ranging from general surgery to gynecology, orthopedics, cardiovascular, and several other surgeries. This multipurpose usage of PGA sutures aids in its popularity.
Conjunction
PGA sutures are also used in conjunction with many other kinds of sutures. For example, they could be used with monofilament sutures and other non-absorbable sutures. Their usage with other sutures, however, varies according to the individual needs of a patient and also depends largely on the nature of the surgery. This makes PGA sutures highly popular not just among medical practitioners but also among polyglycolic acid suture manufacturer (s).
Availability
PGA sutures are available in several different packaging, ranging from varying lengths to distinctive sizes. They are also available in different needle types, such as taper points, round bodies, and cutting needles. This diverse variety helps the surgeons have a choice according to their preference and majorly depending on the type of surgery they are performing.
Tissue Reactivity
The nature of PGA sutures is such that it results in minimal tissue reactivity. This means that the inflammation and scarring caused by them is much lesser than that caused by other kinds of sutures.
Protection from Infection
PGA sutures do not require to be removed from a person’s body after the treatment. This is because they are absorbed by the body over a period of time. No requirement for removal of sutures eliminates the scope for potential infections caused during the removal procedure.
Polyglycolic acid surgical sutures are versatile in nature and can be used in several surgeries. It is available in many variants which helps medical practitioners choose the right one depending on the nature of the surgery and their personal inclination. It is biodegradable and hence provides no scope for any infection to grow. It is owing to the aforementioned benefits that PGA sutures have emerged as a top choice among medical practitioners.
